The Kirk says no to Alex Salmond’s plan to let gays marry

ALEX SALMOND’s plans to legalise gay marriage suffered a significant blow last night as the Church of Scotland opposed the move.

The Kirk warned of “unseen” repercussions if same-sex unions are pushed through. []

In its response to a Scottish Government consultation on the issue, the Kirk warned of “unseen” repercussions if same-sex unions are pushed through.

The intervention came three months after Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the 14-week exercise saying ministers were minded to support civil or religious marriage for gays. Although churches would not be forced to conduct same-sex ceremonies, such a move would require a change in the traditional legal definition of marriage as being exclusively between a man and a woman.

To redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage may have significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country, for the well-being of families, communities and individuals.

The Kirk’s statement

It is also significant because the Church is embroiled in the controversial issue of the ordination of openly gay ministers, which could lead to a historic and bitter split. It has placed a moratorium on the issue until 2013. Only the Kirk’s General Assembly has the authority to commit the church to accepting or rejecting the proposals.

But in its submission the Kirk worries about the “speed with which the government is proceeding on this issue” believing the debate to be “patchy, underdeveloped and exclusive of both ordinary people and the religious community”.

It said: “In common with the historic position of the Christian Church, the Church of Scotland has always viewed marriage as being between one man and one woman. Scriptural references to marriage, whether literal or metaphorical, all operate under this understanding.”

And the statement warned: “To redefine marriage to include same-sex marriage may have significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country, for the well-being of families, communities and individuals.”

The Kirk also says it is baffled as to why the Government believes this is such a pressing issue for the sake of “some” gay couples. Welcoming the Kirk’s move Catholic Church spokesman Peter Kearney said: “It shows the depth of feeling among all branches of Christianity about these proposals. The Scottish Government alienates the Christian community at its peril.”

Scotland’s first openly gay minister expressed disappointment. Rev Scott Rennie, of Aberdeen’s Queen’s Cross Church, said: “While the Kirk may not yet be in a position to celebrate equal marriage itself, it is disappointing it has used its voice to deny the possibility to other religious community.”

Ms Sturgeon said: “Our initial view is that same sex marriage should be introduced but that faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnise same sex marriage.”